Before asking Venture Capitalists (VC) to invest in a company, it is critical to first understand them as a “customer” - their business models, their motivations, and what defines their success. In this way one can better understand what the “customer” wants. This session will provide insight about the venture capital business model - and how that influences who invests, in what, why, and when. Find out how VC’s raise capital, who are their investors, and what are their performance metrics.

Discussion topics will also include VC team composition, deal flow, and life science portfolio strategies. The audience is invited to participate as we take “a look behind the curtain” at the business of investing in the life sciences.

Schedules Panelists:

Nicole Walker - Nicole joined Baird Capital's Venture Capital team in 2013 and focuses on healthcare investments. Nicole is a current member of the Board of Directors at Palyon Medical Corporation, NeuMoDx and Molecular Imaging. Prior to joining Baird Capital, Nicole was with Abbott Ventures where she managed the strategic planning, market development and product portfolio initiatives for multiple brands in discrete and continuous blood glucose monitoring. Before Abbott, she was with ONSET Ventures, where she specialized in seed and early-stage healthcare technology investments, and also worked for Guidant Corporation, where she held a variety of roles within operations, product design & development, engineering management and marketing. Nicole received a BS in mechanical engineering from Stanford University, her MBA from the Kellogg School of Management and her MEM (Masters of Engineering Management) from the McCormick School of Engineering at Northwestern University.

Jeffrey Rinvelt - Jeff is a Principal at the Renaissance Venture Capital Fund based in Ann Arbor. Jeff's diverse background in venture capital and technology along with his experience working in various start-up ventures uniquely positions him for this role. In addition, Jeff is quite active in the Michigan start-up community, volunteering his time to mentor young entrepreneurs, judge pitch competitions and guest lecture student classes & organizations. Through Jeff's work on the Fund, his volunteer efforts and his role on the Michigan Venture Capital Association's Board of Directors, his passion for fostering a productive work environment for venture capital investment in the State of Michigan is clearly evident. Jeff was previously a Director at Ardesta (venture fund), a co-founder of GrapeVINE Technologies (knowledge management) and part of the start-up team for MAXfunds.com (mutual fund industry intelligence). In addition, Rinvelt spent five years with Ernst & Young Information Technology group as a Senior Consultant.

Tim Petersen - Tim joined Arboretum Ventures as Managing Director in 2002. Tim's investment focus has been shaped by his broad business experience with creating, growing, and financing entrepreneurial firms. His investments primarily target capital-efficient companies in medical technology, health IT and services that redefine efficient models for care delivery and improve access to care. Tim has led investments and held board seats in more than a dozen portfolio companies during his tenure with Arboretum, including HealthMedia, Accuri, Cytometers and Inogen. From 1999 to 2002, he helped establish the Zell Lurie Institute for Entrepreneurial Studies at the University of Michigan, serving as Managing Director. During his tenure at Michigan, he also directed the activities of the Wolverine Venture Fund. Prior to Michigan, Tim was a manager in the investment banking practice at Plante Moran Corporate Finance and served as management consultant at Industrial Economics, Inc. in Cambridge, MA.